Canada’s firearms legislation: Proposed handgun bill to have “red flag laws,” Mendicino says | FULL

Credit: Global News

Canada’s Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino spoke about the implications of a newly proposed firearms legislation on gun violence, organized crime and domestic violence on Wednesday in Surrey, B.C.

Bill C-21 would include measures such as raising punitive sentences from 10 to 14 years, increasing police investigative powers of wire-tapping and funding tools for police on the ground as part of the federal support for crime prevention and community safety.

In response to a reporter’s question about individuals struggling with mental health who already possess a firearm, Mendicino said that Bill C-21 would include “red and yellow flag protocols” that allows anyone to request a court to suspend the licence or take away the gun.

The news conference came after the federal government announced on Monday that it has tabled legislation seeking to freeze the buying, selling, importing and trading of handguns nationwide.
Mendicino was joined by MP Sukh Dhaliwal, MP Randeep Sarai, MP Parm Bains and a number of gun control advocates.